Chapter 8: Demon Tracking Potion, Journey to the Beast Forest

Hearing Luca's words, the others looked at him in astonishment.

It was hard for them to believe.

This seemingly unassuming young man could do something even Franklin couldn't.

"You're just a novice who has barely become a Formal Mage. What are you doing involving yourself in this? What will you do if you encounter danger?" Franklin's bushy white eyebrows furrowed.

He didn't doubt Luca's abilities.

Especially after Luca had saved his eagle mouse. It showed that Luca had some skills.

However, Franklin had just gained such a valuable student and couldn't bear to let him take any risks.

If anything happened to Luca, Franklin would deeply regret it.

Upon hearing that Luca was just a novice mage, the group felt a twinge of disappointment.

Luca, unfazed by their reactions, smiled and said, "Don't worry, teacher. There won't be any danger. I just want to see what the beasts in the Beast Forest look like. I've never been there before."

Of course, this was just an excuse.

Dire Wolves, monsters that lived in the Beast Forest, suddenly appearing outside Riverfall City.

It raised Luca's suspicions.

Based on his memories from his previous life, countless Spatial Nodes would appear in the Eternal World after the game's launch.

Monsters near these nodes would become increasingly restless.

Luca suspected there might be a node near Riverfall City.

The most likely place was the Beast Forest, which is why he volunteered to go.

If there was indeed a node, discovering it early would be beneficial for both him and Riverfall City.

If nothing was found, he could still hunt some monsters to quickly level up to 10 and complete his profession change quest.

"Well then, young Witch Doctor, how do you plan to find the Dire Wolf?" Catherine asked, looking at Luca with hopeful eyes.

Although Luca looked young, being Franklin's disciple set him apart from ordinary people.

And somehow, Catherine found herself instinctively trusting Luca.

Luca explained, "I can use the venom to make a potion called 'Demon Tracking Potion.' Once fed to some animals, it will lead us to the Dire Wolf's trail."

Previously, he wouldn't have been able to make such a potion, but after gaining the Witch Doctor profession, Luca unlocked the ability to synthesize herbs.

Now he could use his knowledge from his previous life as a healer to create some basic potions.

"Demon Tracking Potion?" The group was puzzled, having never heard of such a thing.

Franklin's eyes widened in shock.

"The Demon Tracking Potion has been lost for a hundred years! How do you know how to make it?"

Others might not know about the Demon Tracking Potion, but Franklin had heard of it.

The formula for making it had been lost long ago. How did Luca know about it?

Before Luca could respond, Franklin waved his hand and said, "Never mind, it's your own good fortune. I won't pry. Take whatever materials you need."

As he spoke, Franklin glanced at Catherine and said, "Of course, you'll be covering the cost of these materials."

"Thank you, esteemed Witch Doctor. I'll pay double for the materials!" Catherine nodded eagerly.

She then turned to Luca, her expression sincere. "Young Witch Doctor, if you can indeed find the Dire Wolves, I will also give you a generous reward!"

[Ding! Catherine's favorability towards you +50]

[You have triggered the quest "Finding the Dire Wolves"!]

[Quest Description: Help Catherine locate the Dire Wolves and receive a reward of 100 gold coins!]

Seeing the reward, Luca was delighted.

He hadn't expected Catherine to be so generous, offering 100 gold coins!

He immediately thumped his chest and said, "Don't worry, leave it to me!"

Luca had a fondness for well-funded clients.

Even without his previous suspicions, the 100 gold coins were incentive enough to help.

"Young people love adventure," Franklin sighed, producing a yellow potion bottle from somewhere and handing it to Luca.

"If you encounter danger, open this. It will paralyze monsters below Gold Grade for a short time."

[Ding! You have received Franklin's gift "Paralyzing Mist (Gold Grade)"!]

[Paralyzing Mist (Gold Grade): When used, it releases a paralyzing mist that affects monsters within a 20-meter radius, causing paralysis for 5 minutes.]

"Thank you, teacher!" Luca quickly accepted the yellow potion bottle.

Franklin had to stay behind to manage Kaman's condition, so he couldn't accompany them.

However, with the Witch Doctor's various methods, just this bottle of paralyzing mist was enough to ensure their safety in the Beast Forest.

The others looked at Luca with envy, and Catherine felt a touch of sentiment.

A Gold Grade item given so casually, Franklin valued this student far more than they had imagined!

This also sparked a bit of curiosity in Catherine.

What kind of magical talent did this young man possess to win over Franklin, the stubborn old man?

Luca then took some of the venom and began synthesizing the "Demon Tracking Potion" at Franklin's workbench.

Although the method for creating the Demon Tracking Potion had been lost, it was a low-level potion and thus not difficult to make.

With his maxed-out talent, it didn't take long for Luca to produce a black pill.

At the same time, a game prompt appeared.

[Ding! Congratulations on successfully synthesizing the "Demon Tracking Potion" independently. Witch Doctor skill "Potion Synthesis" proficiency +100]

[Skill "Potion Synthesis" level increased to lv2. Potion synthesis success rate +5%, potion synthesis speed +5%]

"It leveled up so easily," Luca thought, pleasantly surprised.

It seemed his maxed-out talent attributes were even more powerful than he had imagined.

Whether it was combat skills or life skills, leveling up required continuous use to increase proficiency. Generally, a player would gain 1-10 points of proficiency per use.

However, with his maxed-out talent and the title " Peerless appearance" Luca's proficiency increased much faster than others.

"That's... it?" Catherine looked at the black pill in Luca's hand, astonished.

Aren't crafting skills supposed to have very low success rates?

Franklin, on the other hand, was full of pride and satisfaction.

As expected from a genius with level 10 perception, he succeeded on his first try at potion synthesis. Truly remarkable talent!

"Looks like I got lucky," Luca smiled and casually fed the Demon Tracking Potion to a dazed eagle mouse, then looped a leash around its neck.

To everyone's surprise, the eagle mouse's eyes glowed with a black light, and it suddenly stood up straight.

It stared blankly in the direction of the Beast Forest, then darted out the door.

"Follow it!" Luca called out to the stunned group, taking the lead as he tugged on the leash.

"Quick, quick! Kaman can be saved!" The others snapped out of their daze and excitedly followed.

Catherine's eyes gleamed with excitement, amazed at Luca's capabilities.

[Ding! Catherine's favorability towards you +50]

The Beast Forest was not far from Starlight Lake, making it a relatively short distance.

With the eagle mouse leading the way, the group swiftly headed out of the city.

Along the way, Luca and his companions drew the attention of countless players.

"What kind of animal is that? Is it a mouse? It's so cute!"

"Wow, I've seen people walk dogs, but this is the first time I've seen someone walk a mouse!"

"Look at that red-haired beauty! Are the NPCs in this game all this good-looking?"

"That armor is so cool! She looks like a Lancer!"

"Mom, I'm in love again!"

...

The sight of Catherine's tall figure and fiery red hair left a group of players dazzled.

In real life, she would undoubtedly be a celebrity!

As the only player among a group of NPCs, Luca stood out even more.

The players chatted excitedly about Luca, but he paid them no mind, staying focused on following the eagle mouse.

It doesn't spend time.

With the eagle mouse leading the way, Luca, Catherine, and the others exited Riverfall City.

In the distance.

Luca could see the dense forest situated on the Wind Plain.